Welcome

The East European Folklife Center (EEFC) was established in 1982 through the love and dedication of a core group of musicians and dancers. Today, this ever-growing and expanding organization brings together an inclusive, celebratory, and welcoming global community of passionate amateurs and professionals, to respectfully share the richness and complexity of Balkan music, dance, and cultures.

Find out all about our annual East and West Coast Balkan Music & Dance Workshops, affectionately known as Balkan Camp. Learn about the EEFC: how we are structured, how to become a contributor and where you might apply your expertise as a volunteer. Remember to subscribe to the EEFC email Newsletter and get monthly news delivered directly to your inbox.

Balkan Camp 2023—Sign Up Now!

We’re pleased to announce that registration is open for both the Mendocino and Iroquois Springs Balkan Music & Dance Workshops. Visit the West Coast and East Coast camp pages for all the details on the workshop, site, teachers—and to fill out a registration form. We truly can’t wait to see you at camp this summer.

Fundraising Drive News

You did it! As of January 31, we collected just over $40,000, fulfilling our first interim fundraising goal for 2023. We aren’t done with this year’s fundraising efforts by a long shot, but after this first push we are incredibly gratified and encouraged by the confidence you’ve shown in EEFC and our programs. Keep track of our donations here, and check out our gorgeous ful-filled Zurnometer here. THANK YOU.

Online Classes & Events

EEFC is thrilled to sponsor exciting live online class series and presentations, taught by our beloved workshop and community teachers. Something for everyone, and new offerings every month!

March 2023 courses: Makam Practice: Soloing and Taksim with Mavrothi Kontanis, and Balkan Romani Music, Dance & Culture with Carol Silverman.

April 2023 courses: Greek Ensemble with Beth Bahia Cohen, and Macedonian Dances of Pece Atanasovski with Steve Kotansky.
Register now!

EEFC Blog

Spring 2023 Letter to the Community

March 24th, 2023

Springtime is here and as we look forward to the summer, we are so excited to be holding our first weeklong camps in four years! Registration has just opened for … Read More

Craig Kurumada Changes Gears

November 14th, 2022

Craig Kurumada has just stepped off the board after a busy term serving as Secretary and Chair of the Development Committee. We can confidently say that he is one of … Read More

Recenter. Regather. Renew.

July 15th, 2022

Summer is officially here, and we’re ready to celebrate! With both the East and West Coast BalkanFests around the corner, our Board and Staff are working around the clock for … Read More

2022 Workshops – Our Decision To Cancel

February 19th, 2022

Dear EEFC Family, The EEFC Board of Directors is entrusted with making decisions on behalf of the larger EEFC community. Recently, the Board has had to grapple with the difficult … Read More

East Coast Virtual Camp 2021 Teacher Highlights

February 1st, 2022

We’re happy to share an article written by new EEFC community member Kathy Molga, on her impressions of this past summer’s East Coast Virtual Camp. She profiles three of our … Read More